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Psychological Consequences of the Enniskillen Bombing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

P. S. Curran*
Affiliation:
Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6AB
P. Bell
Affiliation:
Mater Infirmorum Hospital
A. Murray
Affiliation:
Mater Infirmorum Hospital
G. Loughrey
Affiliation:
Downshire Hospital
R. Roddy
Affiliation:
Mater Infirmorum Hospital
L. G. Rocke
Affiliation:
Accident & Emergency Department, Mater Infirmorum Hospital
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Eleven people were killed and 60 injured in the Enniskillen bombing of November 1987. Survivors were psychologically appraised six months and one year later. At six months 50% had developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This group comprised more females than males. However, all victims had high scores on the GHQ. We found no correlation between psychological injury (as measured by the GHQ) and physical injury (as measured by the ISS), calling into question previous assertions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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